Forbidden With Me - Leigh Lennon Page 0,71

this won’t go to her head, because my best friend’s ego is larger than the mane of red hair on her head—but Kenzie’s barking up the wrong tree. Georgia simply loves cock too much.

“Good to meet you, female cop.” Georgia’s one complaint has been when people refer to her as Red, claiming it’s not really original.

“Ah, that’s a good one, so you aren’t into nicknames.”

Georgia retorts, “Is this chick still talking to me?” Turning her head, she ignores Kenzie as she follows me into the kitchen.

“So, did you forget to tell me that a psychopath is after you? Hell, I jumped into my car and didn’t even grab a toothbrush or a change of clothes.” She’s talking fast, and this is par for the course when Georgia Leigh Nancy is nervous. I start the fish sticks, then grab some cartons of mac and cheese to heat them in the microwave. “Are you really going to eat fish sticks? I swear we haven’t had those since we were kids,” she begins.

I grab her hands. “Calm down, Georgie. One thing at a time.” She narrows her gaze in on me, knitting her eyebrows together. She’s plenty mad. “And don’t glare at me. I was going to wait until tonight to call you, but yes, it looks like the murders have started again.” I wait for Kenzie to cut me off, but she doesn’t. “I can’t say much, but they’re pretty sure the same man who murdered my family is back to staging crime scenes to resemble my parents’ and siblings’ murders.”

She slaps her mouth. “Oh, fuck, Mal, I’m so sorry. Shit. But whose house is this?” She points at the kitchen.

“You tracked me using my phone, huh?” We did this in case one was ever kidnapped, or it was an emergency, which I assume she categorizes as one. She nods, and I reach over and give her a playful flick on her arm. She’s going to flip over my answer. “It’s the police angel’s house.”

“Ah, fuck me every way to Sunday, you’re bullshitting me right now.” Kenzie begins to laugh at Georgia’s filthy mouth.

“Nope, it’s his house, and I’m staying here until they find this son of a bitch.”

She shakes her head, offering me a questioning gaze. “Well, looky here, my best friend has bloomed. I can see it all over your face.”

Kenzie, who had taken her can of Coke off the kitchen table and sat on the end of the couch, spits her pop all over the place.

“Yeah, thanks for basically telling her I was a virgin.” As soon as it comes out, I slap my mouth.

“Was—so past tense, very nice, and thanks for reaffirming my suspicions,” Georgia announces.

I stand to check on my fish sticks while hiding the embarrassment at the same time. I want to change the subject when I look at Kenzie. “Any word on Higgie?” I question. She looks at her phone, then shakes her head. Even in lighthearted banter, I can’t forget this is my life and a murderer wants me now as his own. It’s my new normal until he’s stopped.

Chapter 25

Wells

We pull into the large gravel parking lot that houses the construction warehouse, and Higgins' car is parked near a truck with the company’s logo displayed on the side. “This must be the old man’s vehicle.”

Ten squad cars assist us, but Van and I are the first to the doors. “Wait, Wells,” she cautions me.

This has become more than a case. First, my girl and now one of my best friends. I’ve let personal creep in a while ago, and I’ll never be able to get back to the simplicity of all my other cases.

I stand, following her order because she is my boss, after all. With five uniforms behind us, Vanessa pulls back the door, and I enter while she covers me. I expect a firestorm of bullets, but it’s only a body on the floor, but as he moans, I know it’s not my partner.

“Cover me, Van,” I call out, and when she pats my back, I recognize she’ll do just this. I pocket my piece and hurry to who I believe is the old man, Johnson Wallard.

“Sir?” He’s stirring but not conscious. “Sir, do you know where you are?” I pull out my radio. “I need an ambulance.”

“I don’t remember…” He’s stuttering, his eyes searching me. “Oh, hell, I have no idea. Where am I?”

“Mr. Wallard, you’re in your warehouse. My partner was with you. He was going to pick up